Funny stuff, eh? I mean, who doesn’t know to protect themselves from the sun already?

My birthday is in October…just sayin’

The answer is me. Apparently, I don’t because here I sit with a heat rash covering my entire left forearm!

I only think of sunscreen when I’m in vacation mode, so I totally forgot about long car rides. I’ve been driving a lot lately, so the sun’s been slowly cooking my arm through the window like I’m a human Hot Pocket or something.

As painful as it sounds, that’s not even the worse part, it’s the look!

I was already rocking a farmer’s tan which was bad enough. Now my left forearm is also 2 shades darker than the right!

My current sitch…

It’s like someone purchased one of those Crayola 120 boxes and started coloring with every shade of brown from tan to burnt sienna! I look like a chocolate rainbow or something…

I’ve now started wearing a hoodie in the car, but it’s hard to remember when it’s 98 degrees outside!

I’m also not sure whether I should wear both sleeves or keep the right forearm exposed to match shades. Hmm…

Ah, first world problems…or “Darrell problems” I suppose. Adulting is hard.

Although I couldn’t make the drive to Virginia from Atlanta to celebrate with him in person, the presents I mailed were a success!

One of my gifts to him was this Michael Jackson Smooth Criminal lamp that I purchased on Amazon (here’s the link to order one via our affiliate link if you’re interested https://amzn.to/2LMXzkp).

I’ll have to see it in action. I wouldn’t mind having one for myself!

We’re both huge MJ fans and he always requests tacos for his birthday meal so even from a distance, my influence is strong!

My parents and brother are always saying that I need to finally give Dom some cousins. I don’t know about all that, especially until I find someone I’d want to have them with. However, if I ever decide to have kids, I’m getting them this sippy cup!

Hmm, I wonder if they also make a Robin cup in case I have twins? You know, the dynamic duo?

Speaking of “dynamic duos” – look what else I found!

Admittedly, I haven’t had Cheez-it snacks in a long time so even though these came out a few months ago, they’re new to me!

Oreo and Frito Lay have been rolling out strange combinations for a while now, but I had no idea Cheez-it had also joined the “Weird Flavor Gang.”

Bacon and Cheddar? Sold.

Then I spotted Jalapeno with Cheddar Jack, Caramel Popcorn with Cheddar, Sharp Cheddar with Parmesan, Cheddar Jack with Sharp Cheddar Pretzel and although it’s not a combo, you know I had to try Cheese Pizza too!

Each flavor combination delivers from the sweet and salty caramel popcorn and sharp cheddar to the spicy kick from the jalapeno and cheddar jack combo!

That pizza flavor also delivers by the way! According to the box, it was voted as the number one Cheez-it flavor by fans. I can see why, although the bacon and cheddar could possibly give it a run for the money!

They’re each made from real cheese which is cool, but these aren’t health food by any means.

You can potentially spare yourself a few lbs. with the whole grain options but as an occasional treat, this current batch is delicious.

Welcome to the Weird Flavor Gang Cheez-it. Welcome indeed.

Do you have a food item, restaurant or recipe we should try? Tell us in the comments below! Also join our Facebook foodie group, Phenomnomnomenal, by clicking here!

Oh yeah, speaking of “gangs” let’s take a closer look at that t-shirt, shall we?

Word.

Yeah, I know…like I said earlier, adulting is hard.

For the record, I actually washed the Cheez-its down with cranberry juice not milk though, so hooray for prostate health! Yep, TMI is apparently the running theme this post…

One thing’s for sure, whatever you’re drinking, it won’t be through a plastic straw for very much longer!

In an effort to reduce ocean debris, entire cities and companies like Disney and Starbucks are planning to stop distributing straws to their guests.

Hmm…I don’t think my local Starbucks got the memo!

That Starbucks location is inside of a grocery store that’s also doubled-down on plastic straw sales in recent weeks. Every end-cap was full of them!

I should buy them all before they’re banned and sell them on the black market! I can be the Tony Montana of Bendy Straws. I’m going to be rich y’all!

Hmm, that might take a while though because Georgia doesn’t even have mandatory recycling yet. I was in complete shock when I moved here from New Jersey and witnessed people tossing bottles into regular garbage cans! I’ll have to confirm this info, but I think the official state motto is “F the Ocean!”…

Although protecting the environment is extremely important, the straw issue is complicated because many seniors and disabled citizens rely on them to function independently.

The metal straws require the use of your hands to clean them properly, so hopefully an alternative solution is created for special populations.

For the rest of us, I don’t mind trying some of the alternatives…although several of the “solutions” contain even more plastic!

Ummm…

The metal option is pricier but since they’re reusable, that makes sense. I can’t imagine carrying a foldable straw in my pocket all the time though.

As a guy, I have limited storage space during warmer months without a coat, so between my wallet and Chapstick, I’m already near maximum capacity.

I refuse to carry a “man-purse” so I may have to start rocking cargo pants or something. Fanny packs made a brief comeback last year, I should order one.

It’s a lot to keep up with. I’d probably forget it half the time and just drink straight from the cup instead…with no lid of course, because those are probably next to go.

Actually, plastic silverware is also being phased out so remind me to invest in Swiss Army Knives…and chopsticks.

Another straw alternative is bamboo but glass and metal last longer.

Paper straws only work if you plan to guzzle your drink down like a drunken frat boy at a mixer. If you sip your drink like a normal person, it dissolves and turns into a soggy mess!

Hmm, depending on the drink, they could hand out Twizzlers or peppermint sticks instead! That would probably throw off the flavor though and I’m sure they’d charge a fortune for them.

Maybe I’ll start wearing those drinking straw glasses I had as a kid! That would keep my hands free and I’d stay ready for impromptu beverage consumption.

Or maybe one of those beer can helmets?

In a “sad but true” statement, I already own both of these items,but after digging through my storage closet for 20 minutes, I had to tap out and move on. They’re most likely near the cheesesteak hat that I also owe you a picture of.

I’ll have to finally organize that closet one of these days. My bad…

Either way, as an able-bodied citizen, I’m willing to do my part to help the environment. I already have reusable water bottles and shopping bags, so this straw situation shouldn’t be too much of an adjustment. Wow, that was one avocado toast and a manbun reference away from being the most hipster paragraph I’ve ever typed…

Don’t get me wrong though, I’ll still miss them dearly. Drinking through a straw just feels more exciting for some reason. Festive almost. It’s a simple pleasure.

As a kid, I used to randomly chew on straws for hours at a time. In hindsight, that was pretty gross but hey, #yolo.

I’ve also used them to pick my teeth a few times in a pinch!

I will miss blowing the wrapper at people in restaurants like a third grader though, but all things come to an end at some point I suppose.

I’d probably be more distraught and conflicted if I was a heavy coffee drinker. I don’t use straws on a daily basis though, so I’ll contain my outrage until they ever try and ban Chapstick tubes! That’s when it gets real…

“They can take our straws, but they’ll never take our lip balm!” – Braveheart 2018

Speaking of straws, today’s fitness tip is a reminder that sometimes you’ll have to “embrace the suck.”

I forgot where I first heard that quote but I’m crediting my brother with this one.

I think he picked up the phrase during his days in the military.

The premise is that things won’t always be perfect but learn to find joy in the process and get it done anyway.

Since social media and cosmetic surgery make it so easy to fake a fitness lifestyle in 2018, people often forget how much work truly goes into pursuing a goal.

Don’t get caught up with comparisons, just stay focused on completing your personal journey on your terms at your own pace.

Making time in your busy schedule, pushing through intense workouts and ordering broccoli instead of fries is challenging but if you remain consistent and put in the work, I promise you will get there.

If you dare to dream big enough, you’re going to face challenges, doubters and setbacks. It happens and that’s okay.

As the saying goes, “the best view comes after the hardest climb.”

The path may get difficult and exhausting at times, but do it anyway – it’s worth it. Keep going!

“Tough times don’t last forever, tough people do.”

Do you have a fitness question, goal or accomplishment you’d like to share? Tell us about it in the comments below!

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9 thoughts on “Strawmageddon”

Strawmageddon – HOW CLEVER!!! I can’t believe they are getting ready to get rid of this icon haha. What will we do? I just love those cheez- its!!!!!. The regular flavor use to be my go to snack. I had no idea that they had all of those wild new flavors. Thanks for sharing.this update….

The straw issue is definitely an interesting debate. Both sides make valid points so hopefully there’s a happy medium that can be reached. And yes, the new Cheez-it flavors are good…that bacon flavor didn’t last a week in my apartment!

This is a great Blog here my friend! As always, it was very interesting and entertaining to read. The way you move from one platform to the next is awesome -confessing at all times that adulting is hard!
Yall got any more of them plastic straws hahahahaha

This post is awesome!!! How long does it take to complete such a post? I have read through many other blogs, but they can be cumbersome and confusing. In your posts, you systematically move with ease from one point to another using interesting pics, memes, etc. I hope you continue to have such quality and entertaining info to share with everyone! Congrats to Birthday Dom. Love your cheez-it taste test and back to school foodie items….COOL!!!!!